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N.C. Pottery Center has new director

SEAGROVE — The N.C. Pottery Center in Seagrove has named Lindsay Lambert as the sixth director of the facility in Seagrove since it opened to the public in 1998.

Any pre-conceived ideas of a social historian and archivist as scholarly and dull disappear when Lambert appears. He is a friendly, curious extrovert anxious to learn everything about the center, about Seagrove and to make the mission of NCPC as familiar to every resident as their own neighborhood.

Lambert is a Randolph County native who was born and raised in Randleman, graduated from Randleman High School in 1989, went to North Carolina State University with the intention of majoring in physics, but changed to history midway when he realized that was where his real interest lay.

“One of my high school teachers had seen that interest and recommended history, but I thought history was something I enjoyed, not something to build a career on,” Lambert said.

He went on to earn his masters degree in public history from Appalachian State University. He worked in several museums, is familiar with archiving and cataloguing and meticulous record keeping.

“It was a gradual process for me to identify where I wanted to be in my profession. I wanted something outside the world of academia and public education. The NCPC fits me,” he said.

In 2000, Lambert went to work at Greensboro College as director of the Brock Museum and College Archives. He bought a house in his hometown and settled back into Randolph County.

He knew about the NCPC, knew the director position had been open for four years, mostly due to finances, but kept an eye out for word that the board wanted to hire a director.

From childhood, Lambert had been with his family to many museums and to many pottery shops. He knew about pottery in general and specifically in Seagrove.

“I have always had an appreciation for pottery, but it wasn’t until I started furnishing and decorating my own house that I realized how much I like pottery and wanted to use it,” Lambert said. “That’s when I started my own collection.”

He loves it all, from contemporary to old and historic.

“If I had to pick a favorite potter, it would probably be Waymon Cole, but collectors snapped up his work year ago,” Lambert said. “Waymon Cole was quite creative. He was so innovative with forms and glazes.”

It’s not only the pots themselves that intrigue Lambert, but the stories behind them.

“Little tidbits of family stories can come together to make history alive for us. That’s what is so exciting about pottery, how it has been made here since the early settlers and the tradition has continued for these hundreds of years.

“The history of the potter has been passed down in families who tell their family stories to the next generation. Little bits of history make the whole,” Lambert said. “I think it is important to be aware of our cultural heritage.’

Since he came to the NCPC, Lambert has been working with board members on writing grants, exhibits and planning events, especially the annual auction on Aug. 28.

“I am still learning the rhythm and cadence of the center, its history and the history of pottery. I don’t have a clear vision yet of where we want to be in two years and in five years, but it’s all coming together,” he said.

“The staff has done a great job the past four years keeping the NCPC open and working with the board. Now we can educate ourselves and hone our skills so the visitor will have the best experience ever when they come here.”

Lambert said he is focused on fulfilling the mission of the pottery center, which is to promote public awareness of and appreciation for the history, heritage and ongoing tradition of pottery making in North Carolina. Lambert’s position as president of the N.C. Museum Council puts him in touch with museums and sites across the state.

The Folk Art Society of America will hold its annual conference in Raleigh in October and has planned a day trip to the NCPC and Seagrove.

Lambert has one goal in mind to help people understand the mission and that is to increase the social media presence and engage people on Facebook.

“Then we can translate the ‘likes’ into visits and the visits into memberships,” he said. “The challenge is spreading the word about us across the state. Given the size of the state, we need to reach as many people as possible to expand our grassroots base. Word of mouth is the best way to do it and social media is next.”

Another goal for Lambert is to ensure long-term financial stability. The NCPC is financed by grants, memberships and contributions.

“We need to increase them all to build up operating reserves and I would love to see a modest endowment for the future,” he said.

He also recognizes the need for maintenance on the buildings and grounds, to make the appearance as attractive as possible.

His first activity to engage the public is a family day as part of the upcoming Seagrove Centennial celebration. After the downtown festivities, everyone will be invited to the NCPC for barbecue and bluegrass. The Bluegrass Experience has already agreed to play for them. It will all be free.

Lambert is available to talk with any group or organization that would like to know more about the NCPC. He loves to meet people, to talk and interact and hear their stories.

“I want people to come on over, meet me and the staff and be comfortable about coming here anytime,” he said. “The more people know about an institution, the more they will support it. I want the entire state, but especially Seagrove and Randolph County, to be proud of the center and to have it here.”